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Three or four years ago I was really into powerlifting. I always weighed about 165-170, but over the course of a year I got up to about 200lbs, and was lifting

Three or four years ago I was really into powerlifting. I always weighed about 165-170, but over the course of a year I got up to about 200lbs, and was lifting a ton of weight. I did a mixture of low rep/high rep workouts, but the emphasis was definitely always on lifting heavier and heavier weights. Finally after about two years of this my body was completely shot. I was having all sorts of problems with my shoulders, elbows, and knees. I stopped lifting all together and just started swimming and running instead. Eventually I got into crossfit and now do a decent amount of weights every week. But, the huge difference is that now when I weight train I do 30-40% of the weight I used to do, but 3-5 times the number of reps. The difference is incredible. I'm way healthier now, have no problems with my joints, and my weight has stabilized at around 175. Back in the day I could never imagine working out like I do now, but these days I can't understand why I used to put my body through all of that.

wake_up_sticky 16y ago
I don't want people to get the impression that weight-lifting inevitably leads to injury. This guy was seriously overdoing it or had poor form if his body was "shot" after two years. If you want to do low-rep, high-weight lifting, make sure that you get plenty of rest and don't do tons of volume. Find a program designed by a reputable strength-training coach (such as Mark Rippetoe or Bill Starr) and don't modify it. If your form is good, you don't do more volume than you should, and you're eating properly, your body certainly won't be "shot" after two years.
- augustflanagan 16y ago
  You're right "shot" may be a bit of an over statement, but I was definitely on my way to being there. That said I was following a great program and training with coaches and athletes at the University of Washington. In hindsight I was probably pushing the weight farther than I should have been, but I think that is the natural tendency when you are trying to continually lift heavier and heavier weight.

wake_up_sticky 16y ago

I don't want people to get the impression that weight-lifting inevitably leads to injury. This guy was seriously overdoing it or had poor form if his body was "shot" after two years. If you want to do low-rep, high-weight lifting, make sure that you get plenty of rest and don't do tons of volume. Find a program designed by a reputable strength-training coach (such as Mark Rippetoe or Bill Starr) and don't modify it. If your form is good, you don't do more volume than you should, and you're eating properly, your body certainly won't be "shot" after two years.

augustflanagan 16y ago
You're right "shot" may be a bit of an over statement, but I was definitely on my way to being there. That said I was following a great program and training with coaches and athletes at the University of Washington. In hindsight I was probably pushing the weight farther than I should have been, but I think that is the natural tendency when you are trying to continually lift heavier and heavier weight.